In a significant move to bolster its regional operations, Goa-based airline FLY91 has announced the lease of two brand-new ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft. The planes are being sourced from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), marking a key step in the carrier's strategic network expansion across India's smaller cities.
Strategic Fleet Expansion and Network Growth
This latest transaction will bring FLY91's total fleet strength to six aircraft. The two new planes are scheduled for delivery later this month directly from the ATR manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France. Following their induction, the airline plans a dual-pronged approach: increasing frequencies on its existing routes and launching operations to new destinations.
The expansion is central to FLY91's plan to commence flights from Goa's Dabolim (Goa International Airport), complementing its current base at Manohar International Airport in Mopa. From Dabolim, the airline aims to connect to Hyderabad, Nanded, Pune, and Solapur, subject to slot availability, by the end of the current quarter.
Deepening Regional Connectivity
The broader network expansion will see FLY91 adding services to Hubballi, Vijayawada, and Rajahmundry. This growth aligns perfectly with the airline's stated strategy of enhancing air links between India's tier-2 and tier-3 cities, providing them with better connectivity to key urban hubs.
Manoj Chacko, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of FLY91, emphasized the calculated approach behind the move. "This transaction reinforces our commitment to building a resilient and scalable regional airline through measured growth," he stated.
Since starting commercial operations in March 2024, FLY91 has steadily built a network from Mopa Airport. Its current connections include:
- Key urban hubs: Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad.
- Emerging regional centres: Sindhudurg.
- Other destinations: Solapur, Jalgaon, and Agatti in the Lakshadweep Islands.
This fleet augmentation through DAE follows the airline's earlier induction of its first two aircraft from the same lessor, underscoring a continued partnership aimed at supporting FLY91's ambitious regional aviation blueprint.
